Battleground 319. Battleground '45 - your questions answered
Aug 27, 2025
Dive into intriguing questions about World War II, including Spain's neutrality and the surprising absence of the Luftwaffe when the RAF sank the Tirpitz. Explore the overlooked contributions of Latin American countries like Brazil and Mexico to the Allied effort. Uncover the segregation faced by African-American troops and the disparities in medical care they endured. Finally, reflect on justice in the post-war era and the impact of historical tensions, revealing complex narratives that shaped military dynamics.
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Why Some Neutrals Were Respected
- Germany invaded neutrals when they could not get cooperation and left compliant neutrals alone to gain strategic benefits without cost.
- Spain stayed neutral because Franco cooperated subtly and Hitler judged invasion too costly and unnecessary.
Geography Shaped Strategic Choices
- Geography and resource limits shaped Hitler's decision not to invade Spain despite disappointment with Franco.
- Crossing the Pyrenees and controlling rugged Spain would have been a huge strategic and logistical burden for Germany.
Why Communist Partisans Excelled
- Communist resistance groups often became the most effective because ideology provided unity, discipline and political purpose.
- They switched from non-resistance to active struggle after Germany invaded the USSR, changing local resistance dynamics.
